These Air Fryer Lamb Chops are marinated with warm Mediterranean spices and cooked until juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. It's an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner recipe with options to prepare on a grill or under the broiler.
Serve them alongside saffron rice, tzatziki, tabbouleh, and a greek salad, and enjoy a gourmet meal at home.
Lamb is the No.1 choice of meat in my home. I can cook it in any preparation, like kebab, curry, chops, or biryani, and there won't be any leftovers, guaranteed!
Not so long ago I used to feel that lamb chops are reserved for special occasions and holidays because they have a reputation of being difficult to prepare. Well, let me tell you, you can enjoy lamb chops any night of the week with this air fryer recipe!
I adapted my trusted recipe for Grilled Lamb Chops for the air fryer. They're super easy to prep and take only a few minutes to cook, and dinner is on the table in under 30-minutes.
And they're simply delicious. Juicy, succulent, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors we all know and love. I'm sure your family will love this one too.
Air Fryer Facts: You can find a detailed guide on an Air Fryer - how it works, which one to buy, and what all you can cook in it, in this article: How Does an Air Fryer Work?
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Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
These lamb chops in air fryer take a little help from the butcher and your spice cabinet. Let's see what we need:
- Frenched Lamb Rack: Look for a whole frenched rack of lamb at the meat counter. I like to cut the rack into chops when I get home, but you can ask the butcher behind the counter to do it for you (time saving tip).
- Greek Yogurt: The yogurt helps tenderize the meat. Don't skip it!
- Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: Either oil will do. You could also use ghee if you have it on hand.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced or grated garlic, frozen garlic paste, or if you are short on time, use garlic powder.
- Spices: We are using a mix of hot and warming spices to really amp up the flavor. These include paprika, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper and cayenne.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: Make sure to zest the lemon before juicing.
Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
How to Cook Lamb Chops in Air Fryer
Here are the step-by-step instructions, including how long to cook lamb chops in the air fryer based on your taste preference:
Prepare Lamb Chops: Lay the rack of lamb flat on a cutting board. Trim off any excess fat. Take a sharp knife and use the bone as a guide to cut 8 chops of even thickness. Pat dry the chops with paper towels.
Tip: To save time and effort, ask your butcher to cut the rack of lamb into individual chops.
Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, combine yogurt, oil, garlic, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Marinate Lamb Chops: Place the chops in a large bowl or on a platter. Generously brush the marinade all over the lamb chop, coating all sides. Cover and marinate for 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
Place Lamb Chops in Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer and place the lamb chops in a single layer, leaving a little space between them.
Air Fry to Desired Doneness: Cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway, for medium-rare, or 10-12 minutes for medium-well. Keep in mind that the meat continues to cook while resting. Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness.
Lamb Chops Temperature: 125°F = rare, >135°F = medium-rare, >145°F = medium well.
Rest for 5 minutes, then serve: Transfer the chops to a large serving platter and rest for 5 minutes.
Alternate Cooking Methods: Grilled Lamb Chops or Oven-Broiled Lamb Chops
- Pan Grill Lamb Chops: Pre-heat a wide frying pan over medium-high heat for a few minutes. If you want grill marks, use a grill pan. Place the chops in the pan. Cook 2 minutes each side for medium rare or 3 minutes each side for well done.
- Outdoor Grill: Pre-heat an outdoor grill over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Lay the chops down and grill for 2 minutes each side for medium rare or 3 minutes each side for well done.
- Oven Broiler: Place an oven rack 4 inches away from the broiler and turn on the broiler to high. Place the seasoned chops on an aluminum lined baking sheet. Place it on the top rack and cook for 2 minutes on each side for medium rare or 3 minutes each side for well done.
Serving Suggestion
These lamb chops pair wonderfully with lemon rice or saffron rice, tzatziki, and a greek salad for a complete Mediterranean feast. All of these sides come together while the lamb is marinating, which is perfect for weeknights.
They would also be delicious with a mix-and-match of veggie and potato sides. Here are a few suggestions:
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Make it for date-night-in: Pair these lamb chops with a glass of Pinot noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon, and it's an official "date-night"!
Storing and Reheating
Leftover lamb chops will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen, then warm in the air fryer at 350F for 2 minutes, or in the oven until heated through.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Lamb: The cut of lamb makes a difference in the level of gaminess. I like to use a whole frenched rack of lamb, cut into individual chops. Lamb leg chops are another great option, but they are more expensive.
- Seasoning: If using smoked paprika, reduce to 1 teaspoon and feel free to omit the cayenne pepper for mild.
- Marinating Time: Lamb is tender and since there is lemon juice in the marinade, it shouldn't be prepped too far in advance as the acidity in the lemon juice will start to break down the muscle fibers. Marinate for at least 20 minutes, but no longer than 2 hours.
- Temperature: The lamb chop temperature is all about preferred degree of doneness. My family and I like them at a nice medium-rare.
- Use an instant-read thermometer: Stick it into the thickest part of the chop without touching the bone. This will ensure the most accurate results every time.
- Don't overcrowd: I was able to fit all 8 chops in my XL air fryer basket with space between each piece. Air fry the lamb in two batches, if necessary.
Common Questions
The chops are rare at 125°F, medium rare at 135°F, and medium well at 145°F. Keep in mind the gaminess of lamb increases when cooked past medium.
My lamb chops took approx 7-9 minutes at 390°F (200°C) in the air fryer. Times will vary based on thickness and your desired doneness.
This has everything to do with slicing the lamb incorrectly. Make sure to slice against the grain while eating.
Yes, you can cook lamb chops from frozen, but I wouldn't recommend it. The reason being that the meat won't get a chance to absorb the flavors of the marinade.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Mediterranean Lamb Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1¼-1½ pounds frenched lamb rack cut into 8 chops
Marinade
- 1 tablespoon plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika (regular) (reduce to 1 teaspoon if using smoked)
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper skip for mild taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice + zest
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Lamb Chops: Lay the rack of lamb flat on a cutting surface. Remove excess fat. Take a sharp knife and using the bone as a guide, cut it into 8 chops of even thickness. Wipe dry chops to get rid of excess moisture.Tip: To save time and effort, ask your butcher to cut the rack of lamb into individual chops.
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients listed for marinade and mix well.
- Marinate Lamb Chops: Place all the chops on a large plate or bowl. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the marinade all over the lamb chops, coating all sides. Cover and keep aside for 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Place Lamb Chops in Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes. Place the lamb chops in a single layer leaving a little space between them. You should be able to fit all lamb chops in one batch.
- Air Fry to Desired Doneness: Cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway, for medium-rare, 10-12 minutes for medium-well. Keep in mind that the meat continues to cook while resting. Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness. Lamb Chops Temperature: 125°F = rare, >135°F = medium-rare, >145°F = medium well.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then Serve: Transfer the chops to a platter and rest for 5 minutes. This allows time for the juices to redistribute. Serve with lemon rice or saffron rice, tzatziki, and a greek salad.
Alternate Cooking Methods:
- Pan Grill Lamb Chops: Heat a wide frying pan over medium-high heat (takes around 3-4 minutes). Use a grill pan if you want the grill marks. Place the chops in the pan. Cook 3 minutes each side for well done chops. Reduce to 2 minutes each side for medium rare done chops.
- Outdoor Grill: Heat up grill. Lay the chops down and grill for 3 minutes on each side (on a medium-high heat zone). Reduce to 2 minutes each side for medium rare done chops.
- Oven Broiler: Turn on the oven broiler. Place the seasoned chops on an aluminum lined baking sheet and place it on the top rack, such that the meat is about 4 inches away from the heat. Cook for 3 minutes on each side for well done and 2 minutes for medium rare.
Notes
- Lamb: The cut of lamb makes a difference in the level of gaminess. I like to use a whole frenched rack of lamb, cut at home into individual chops. Lamb leg chops are another great option, but they are more expensive.
- Seasoning: If using smoked paprika, reduce to 1 teaspoon and feel free to omit the cayenne pepper for mild.
- Marinating Time: Lamb is tender and since there is lemon juice in the marinade, it shouldn't be prepped too far in advance as the acidity in the lemon juice will start to break down the muscle fibers. Marinate for at least 20 minutes, but no longer than 2 hours.
- Temperature: The lamb chop temperature is all about preferred degree of doneness. My family and I like them at a nice medium-rare.
- Use an instant-read thermometer: Stick it into the thickest part of the chop without touching the bone. This will ensure the most accurate results every time.
- Don't overcrowd: I was able to fit all 8 chops in my air fryer basket with 1-2 inches between each piece. Air fry the lamb in two batches, if necessary.
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips.
Dhanya says
Hi Aneesha,
Tried this in my air fryer today and was very pleased with the results! it was yummy! I had leftover marinade becuase i used fewer rib chops....any ideas on what else to use it on? Thanks for an easy and delicious recipe.
Aneesha says
Hi Dhanya, you can use the excess marinade for chicken, fish, paneer, tofu, veggies, or even potatoes and air fry them.